A must for me while travelling to a new destination is always to visit a market. Having been in Osaka and seeing all that was available there, I was curious as to what I could find here. The bountiful Nishiki market in Kyoto was even better!
Brief History
As early as the year 782, fish were being sold in this area close to the palace in Kyoto. There are underground springs with cool water that was used to keep fish and meat fresh.
It wasn’t until 1615 that the market was officially given permission to sell products, especially fish. After that, the area ebbed and flowed as the sale of wholesale goods moved around the city.
In 1920 a new association promoted the sale of all food types here, vegetables, dried goods etc., and this market became known as Kyoto’s Kitchen. Since then, the pedestrian only streets have been covered with cobble stones and a glass ceiling raising, transforming this intersection into an array for the senses.
Seafood
Undoubtedly, probably half of the stalls are selling seafood of all varieties. It always amazes me how many different products come from the sea and many of which I have never or rarely seen before. Popular at the moment, is eel, crab and sea urchin.
Vegetables
Not only are there a few fresh produce stands, but so many preserve vendors with such fascinating products. Barrels of veg called takuan, covered in salt, rice bran and sugar are prominent features. As well as other soaked in vinegar and packed for sale.
Here one can buy the popular pickled cucumber on a stick, 200 yen ($2 CAD) for a piece of cuke about 5” long. Up until recently, you would get a whole cucumber! Most of the produce is seasonal, with not a lot of imported goods visible. Very refreshing.
Dried goods
Love these stalls filled with decorative baggies filled with nuts, beans, rice etc. An entire store is devoted to everything chestnut. I tasted a warm roasted one that was mildly reminiscent of a mushy bland bean.
Sweets
Never have I seen so many beautiful Japanese sweets all located within one area. From the mochi we all know and love, to hard candies packaged so cute and irresistible.
Here is tasted dango for the first time. Three small balls of glutinous rice flour, each flavoured so mildly as to be hardly distinguishable. I did enjoy these, mostly for the texture, but not as much as I enjoy a good mochi.
Other Goods
Have you ever seen sparrows on a stick? For sale to eat? Or have a cup of turtle soup? Well you can here at Nishiki Market in Kyoto!
A vendor selling liquor caught my eye. Especially after trying Japanese whisky, which I must say was a complete surprise and delight. I walked around this shop, looking at the prices, hoping to find a small bottle to take home. Alas, only large bottles of good whisky were seen, so will have to continue my search.
Other stalls had souvenir type items, of which I do not purchase on account of having zero room in my luggage. I really love the creativity of these products from Japan though. If I was a regular tourist, I would be shopping up a storm.
I hope you have the chance to visit the Nishiki market on your next trip to Kyoto. It is indeed my favourite market I have visited in Japan. Full of colourful delights, delicious treats and a cacophony for the senses, I could stay here all day.
